"If you want to win the lottery, you have to make the money to win the lottery"

~Nightcrawlers

Kelsey unpacked the last box that was filled with shoes and a random Ziploc bag of taco seasoning.

She had thrown everything into unorganized boxes since she'd only moved ten miles away.

When Kelsey arrived back in L.A., there had been a "For Sale" sign posted outside of Sandy's house, along with a note from Sandy that read, "I've already gone with Alex to Northern California. I just need time. I'm sorry."

So, Kelsey went inside and began packing.

Most of the apartments in L.A. were far above her paygrade, but she'd managed to scout out a one-bedroom apartment that wasn't far from L.A. and didn't break the bank.

It was small and ugly. It was almost as if the decorators were trying to go for a minimalistic look, but the white walls, white ceilings, and white everything made it look more like a hospital.

Kelsey was trying to make it like home, though. Her trip to Kansas had given a new spin on everything that had happened.

She'd found that sometimes life required a sigh in order to move on. When the tears ran out, the anger settled down, and the memory of laughter returned. It was time to release an exhale and keep going.

Kelsey had to admit that it was proving to be harder than all the motivational quotes on Pinterest said.

She had to deal with the fiasco of moving as soon as she got back to L.A., then she had to go to work and pretend like everything was fine, and she still hadn't talked to Ethan.

Kelsey pulled her hair into a ponytail before getting ready for work.

She'd been back in L.A. for a week now, and she was beginning to get used to her new life. It was almost as if her four months in L.A. were a strange dream, and she kind of liked it that way.

She took the long way to work, which allowed her to surpass a tangle of traffic.

The "Summer in Paris" set had been completely erased, and a new, post-apocalyptic movie set had taken its place.

Kelsey had teared up the first time she drove back into the studio and saw the transformation.

It was like both of her lives—the one in Kansas and the one in L.A.—were both being remodeled before her eyes.

And it wasn't abnormal to see a horde of zombies walking around, which was another thing she wasn't too fond of.

She opened the door to the kitchen and tossed her things in the corner, going over a mental checklist of all the things she had to do.

Chef Vance stopped her in the hallway, his face splotchy red. "Harris."

Kelsey lifted and eyebrow. "What?"

"Romano wants to see you."

Kelsey tied her apron strings. "Well, I guess I don't have to worry about being fired. If that was the case, you'd be jumping for joy. Right?"

She moved past him into the kitchen and went up to Chef Romano, who was lecturing one of the chefs who had apparently misunderstood her instructions three times.

After waiting a few moments, Kelsey said, "Chef Romano, you wanted to see me?"

Chef Romano lifted a hand. "Don't interrupt, intern."

Chef Romano had to get in a few more sentences before turning to Kelsey and telling her to move to the corner.

Kelsey shifted on her feet pensively.

"Chef Vance is the worst assistant chef I have ever received," Chef Romano explained, frowning. "I need someone to fill a few of his duties, but I cannot hire another assistant, says the company."

"So you want me to step in?"

"Don't interrupt."

"Sorry."

"But yes," Chef Romano sighed. "From now on, you will help prepare meals before lunch, and then continue the rest of your day as you normally do."

Kelsey's face couldn't choose between confusion and a smile. "I—what—really? I'll be cooking?"

For a fraction of a second, it looked like Chef Romano was going to crack a smile. "Yes, intern. You're getting promoted."

Kelsey rested back on her heels, flabbergasted. "Wow."

"Don't fill your head with air. And don't tell Vance. I'm trying to weed him out slowly."

"You can count on me," Kelsey winked. "As long as you promise he doesn't beat me up after work."

She traded her apron for a chef's coat, beaming like a little kid who'd just won a prize.

Even her other coworkers seemed a little proud and would grin at her whenever she caught their eye.

Before she knew it, she was chopping a carrot into julienne cuts, preparing them for a Chinese soup that was going to be served.

She couldn't keep the smile off her face as she worked like the arm on a clock—right where she belonged, doing exactly what she was supposed to.

When she served lunch, she did so with pride.

However, her smile waned when she came out of the kitchen to see an ocean of new faces. No familiar movie stars. No flamboyant directors. No Ethan.

She could imagine his face if he knew that she was finally cooking and doing what she loved.

After lunch, she walked back into the kitchen to find Chef Vance angrily scrubbing dishes, soap bubbled flying everywhere.

She suppressed a smile as she began loading the dishes from her tray into the sink.

"Don't think you're getting a raise," he hissed. "I'm still your superior."

Kelsey nodded. "Of course."

"And I'm still a better chef than you'll ever be."

Kelsey pointed at one of the plates. "You missed a spot, babe."

~~~~~~~~~~

Kelsey dried off her hands before settling down to eat a bowl of gouda mac-n-cheese that smelled of bacon and cream.

She still couldn't believe she was actually going to be able to cook. And not just for a snobby party, but every day as her job.

She'd just sunk her spoon into the bowl when she heard a knock on the back door.

She sat up, knitting her brow together.

Had Ethan heard she was back in town?

She placed her bowl back on the counter and walked to the back.

Ethan had always used the front door...

Should she even open it?

Another frantic knock sounded and Kelsey turned the door knob.

Outside stood a woman Kelsey didn't even recognize at first.

Her hair was a mess and she didn't wear makeup on her face. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy. On her cheek was a nasty looking bruise.

"Becca?" Kelsey whispered.

Becca bit her trembling lip that was still smudged with pink. "I—I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. For everything." She said, bursting into sobs.

Kelsey stepped off the doorway, confused. "Hey, um, it's okay."

"I didn't know where to go, I—I—"

Kelsey put a hand on her shoulder. "Take a breath. What happened?"

Becca sniffled and hiccupped. "Me and—and Mack got into it, you know? H-he got so, so mad, and I got mad, and..." her voice trailed off and she dropped her chin to her chest.

Kelsey licked her lips and spoke quietly, "He hit you?"

Becca's face contorted and she nodded.

"Why'd you come here?"

Becca shrugged helplessly. "I don't know."

Kelsey chewed the inside of her cheek. "Come on, I have some warm mac 'n-cheese inside."

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Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed!

~Kelsey finally got promoted! Woohoo!

~How do you think things are going to turn out with Becca?

~General thoughts?

Thank you so much for reading! {Don't forget to comment, vote, and share!}